IT CAME as no big surprise when Gillingham inflicted one of City’s heaviest defeats of last season.

At the turn of the year, Justin Edinburgh’s side were flying and seemingly poised to return to the second tier after an 11-year absence.

But then it went swiftly downhill, so much so that the Gills were even pipped to the top six by eventual play-off winners Barnsley.

Their form at Priestfield Stadium, where the Kent club are traditionally strong, dipped alarmingly – and the trend has continued through the first month of this campaign.

Sunday’s last-gasp televised loss to Sheffield United means the Gills have won only one of their last nine home games spanning both seasons.

They have conceded 12 goals already – the most in League One – and have not kept a clean sheet for 16 games stretching back to April 9.

Edinburgh, who has been getting stick in some quarters, said: “We have made a solid start, without being spectacular, and certainly need to be ruthless in our own box to make sure we don’t concede.

“There have been passages of play that I have liked. But we know as a club, certainly from last year, it’s not about what you do in the first ten games but in 46 – that is the key.”

Influential playmaker Bradley Dack made his first league start since the opening day against the Blades and scored with a free-kick.

He is still off the pace as he comes back from a knee injury but should be sharper for having a free midweek.

Edinburgh, pictured, said: “He is not 100 per cent fit and that is a challenge for us. When you have someone of his quality at your disposal at probably 70 per cent, you tend to take a gamble and try.

“We are all aware that he is not quite up to full speed but that goal showed what qualities he has.”

Jamie O’Hara, a player that was put to City but they opted for Josh Cullen, could be involved.